Aspen Richter Opposes Martin For LWSD Director #4

Aspen Richter

Aspen Richter is running for Position #4 of the LWSD Board of Directors and has broad support from the community.  I first met Aspen at a "Move Redmond" luncheon; she always has her notebook with her to record salient points.  She likes to "move around" on her e-bike; and avoid guzzling cars!   

Environmental sustainablity at LWSD is a big thing for Aspen.  Below, are some personal notes of her accomplishments:  

Lake Washington PTSA Council Sustainability Chair, 2023-2025.

While Chair, I focused on bringing both district employees and sustainability chairs from the various school PTSAs together to exchange information and strengthen our sustainability efforts. 

I also collaborated with Matt Gillingham (Deputy Superintendent of Operations & Legal Affairs) to hold a linkage session for the board's draft sustainability policy with PTSA chairs, parents, students, and teachers.  I'm looking forward to what 2025-2026 brings for our environmental efforts in LWSD!

I am on the LWSD advisory committees for:

1) Sustainability

2) Facilities: I joined because of the financial and environmental impact of our buildings, and because I had children at two of the schools slated for rebuild from the proceeds of the 2024 levy.

3) Levy: A temporary committee in the spring and summer of 2025, because levies are how we fund facility improvements such as solar panels, switching to electric boilers, and installation of ground-source heat pumps to reduce our environmental impact. The levy committee is one I take very seriously, because the purpose of levy funds---funding our schools---is incredibly important and also because I am aware the end result is very real for property owners in LWSD.

Enrollment Declining At Lake Washington School District

Fewer students in elementary leads to an eventual decline in secondary schools.

The School Board is proposing a $676.9 million, 6-year construction levy this year. If passed, 2 elementary schools and 2 middle schools will be rebuilt and enlarged.

"WHY IS ENROLLMENT DECLINING in our schools even with so much construction going on in the district?  

ANSWER:  "The district is tracking over 9,500 residential units opening within the next 10 years. The majority of the new construction is now multi-family housing (apartments, condominiums, townhomes) rather than single-family. Multi-family housing units do not generate as many students as single family homes do. Multi-family housing generates about seven students for every 100 units vs. a single-family development that generates about 60 students for every 100 homes. This housing growth is certainly offsetting what could be larger enrollment declines. The other reason for the decline is a decline in birth rates. Birth rates are down for Lake Washington area, King County, and across the country. This results in lower kindergarten enrollment and fewer students enrolling at the elementary level. Fewer students in elementary leads to an eventual decline in secondary, even though secondary school enrollment is currently not declining in the same way." 

Source:  LWSD Demographics, FAQ 

Posted by Bob Yoder, 6/3/2024